La Liga side Elche President José Sepulcre resigned on Monday after more than nine seasons in his role, according to Javier Pérez of EL PAÍS. Unable to "perform his functions; with debts to the Spanish Football League (LFP) and tax authorities not paid on time, which could prevent the club from signing players for next season or cause it to be relegated; with two months of payment owed to employees and players and with all the fans against him," Sepulcre "had no other remedy than resignation." Threatened by the Elche Foundation, which owns 54% of the club's shares, Sepulcre will leave the club to be led by businessman Juan Anguix. The 12 owners of the team, with Elche Mayor Mercedes Alonso representing the City Council, accepted the project led by Anguix, who presented a €5M ($5.5M) guarantee to pay the tax authorities and the players. Alonso said, "We are on the right path because the payment of this debt will save the club" (EL PAÍS, 4/28). The EFE reported Elche coach Fran Escriba said, "The change was something that people were demanding. All parties have reached an agreement for the benefit of Elche and I expect that the change will be for the best." He added that "presidents, like coaches, tend to be the most blamed" by fans in times of crisis and that he is "convinced the change will help lower the social tension" around the organization (EFE, 4/28).
